Box with overlapped end walls



Oct. 23, 1951 BERGSTEIN 2,572,239

BOX WITH OVERLAPPED END WALLS Filed Dec. 20, 1947 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 v Z0 24 .FIG. 1.

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\ BY F aluww ATTORNEYS.

Oct. 23, 1951 BERGSTElN 2,572,239

BOX WITH OVERLAPPED END WALLS Filed Dec. 20, 1947 QZZuwrQZZZ ATTORNEYS.

gluing instrumentalities, set forth.

Patented Oct. 23, 1951 BOX WITH OVERLAPPED END WALLS Frank David Bergstein, Wyoming, Ohio Application December 20, 1947, Serial No. 793,010

Claims.

My invention relates to boxes of a type in v which a pair of opposed body walls, say the side walls, have means at their ends foldable inside the other pair of opposite walls, say the end walls, and in which the end wall have extensions foldable within the box and over the means on the ends of the side walls to maintain the box in erected condition.

' My invention relates particularly to means for locking the inwardly folded end wall extensions, and has for its principal object the provision of improved locking means.

It is an object of my invention to provide a box of this type which is stronger and more rigid than boxes hitherto current in the art.

It is also an object of my invention to provide a locking means for the infolded end wall flaps which is not liable to accidental disengagement, and in particular a locking means which will not be disengaged by normal outward pressure on the side walls of the box.

It is an object of my invention to provide a locking means and construction which is easily and cheaply made on available box folding and as will hereinafter be These and other objects of the invention which will be described hereinafter, or will be apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading these specifications, I accomplish by that construction and arrangement of parts and by that procedure of which I shall now describe certain exemplary embodiments. Reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a blank which I may employ for one type of my box.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same blank in the folded and glued condition in which it may be sent to the box user.

Figure 3 is a partial perspective view showing one end of the box at the start of the erecting operation.

Figure 4 is a partial perspective View showing a later stage of the erecting operation.

Figure 5 is a partial perspective View showing the same end of the box in fully erected condition.

' Figure 6 is a plan view of the fully erected box.

Figure 7 is a partial perspective view of a corner of an erected box showing a modified structure.

Figure. 8 is a plan view of a paperboard blank portion for another form of my carton.

Figure 9 is a plan View of an assembled box including paperboard members and a member box so as to parallel the end 2 made up of articulated panels of non-scorable sheeting.

Figure 10 is a plan View of the same structure with the parts in folded and glued condition suitable for shipment to the box user. v

Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the inside of the erected box formed from the structures of Figures 9 and 10.

Figure 12 is a perspective view showing the outside of the erected box.

In Figure 1 I have shown a paperboard blank for one section of a two piece box. This blank is formed in the usual way on a cutting and scoring press from suitable box board or paperboard which may be printed as desired. Dot-dash lines in Figures 1, 2, 8, 9 and 10 are indicative of lines of score, while solid lines are indicative of lines of cut.

The blank as manufactured by me comprises a main panel I, which may be either the bottom or top panel of a two piece box. A pair of opposed walls 2 and 3 are articulated to the side edges of the main panel, and for convenience are termed side walls. End walls 4 and 5 are articulated to the end edges of the main panel. These end wall panels bear extension flaps 6 and I designed to be turned inwardly in the erected walls. If desired these endwall flaps may carry short articulated tabs 8 and 9 at their ends.

The side walls of the box are provided at their ends with articulated end flaps [0, ll, I2 and l3, and these in turn carry extension flaps l4, IE, IS and I! of substantially equal dimensions, though slightly shorter. The extensions carry short articulated end tabs l8, I9, 20 and 2|.

The end wall flap extensions 6 and 1 are provided with laterally extending, non-articulated locking tongues 22, 23, 24 and 25. The dimensions of the end wall extensions 6 and l are substantially the same as the dimensions of the end walls 4 and 5. Hence the tongues 22, 23, 24 and 25 extend beyond the out line forming the edges of the end walls and their extensions. The width of the side wall flaps Ill, H, [2 and I3 and their extension l4, l5, I6 and [1 may be diminished, as shown, to permit the formation. of

the tongues.

. The side wall flap extensions l4, l5, l6 and I1, and their respective end tabs l8, I9, 20 and 2| are slotted as at 26, 21, 28 and 29, the slots preferably extending across the score lines by which the tabs are articulated to the extensions. The shape of the slots may be considerably varied; but in any event the slots extend into the 3 tabs l8, i9, 20 and El, and have lengths substantially equivalent to the lengths of the tongues 22, 23, 24 and 25. The slots and tongues are so located that, in the erected box, respective ones of these will coincide as will be clear from the drawings herein showing the erected box.

In the further formation of my box section or element, as illustrated in Figure 2, I fold inwardly the respective side wall flap extensions l4, l5, l6 and I1 so as to overlie the side wall flaps Ill, H, I2 and I3, and adhesively secure them thereto. The side wall flap extension tabs [8, l9, 2|] and 2i, will in this event substantially overlie the side wall elements 2 and 3, but will not be adhesively secured thereto. There are several ways in which this folding and gluing may be accomplished. For example, the blank of Figure 1, may be sent through a timed folding and gluing machine of known and commercial type, in a direction transverse to the extent of the side walls 2 and 3. By means of timed glue spotting or printing mechanism, also known, areas of adhesive 30, 3!, 32 and 33 may be applied to the side wall flaps 10, H, l2 and I3. Then the side Wall flap extensions l4, l5, l6 and I1, may be folded inwardly on their respective score lines during movement of the blank by suitably shaped stationary folding sweeps, as will be well understood by the skilled worker in. the art. It may be noted in Figure I that the end of the side wall flap extension tabs [8, I9, 20 and 2|, extend beyond the ends of the end wall extension tabs 8 and 9, so as to be engaged easily by the aforesaid folding sweeps which do not at the same time engage the end wall extension tabs. Again if the end walls 4 and 5 are first folded inwardly, it will be possible to apply the areas of adhesive 30, 3|, 32 and 33 to the side wall flaps by untimed glue mechanism in an untirned machine, after which the side wall flap extensions l4, l5, l6 and II are folded inwardly by other stationary folding sweeps.

Figure 2 is illustrative of: the form of the knockdown blank or box in which it is shipped to the box user.

As shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, the erection of the box section or element is accomplished by bending the side walls 2 and 3 to an upright position with respect to the main panel I. The elements articulated to the ends of the side walls are bent or folded inwardly as particularly shown in Figure 4. Thereupon the end walls 4 and 5 may be raised to positions at right angles to the main panel 8, and the end wall extensions 6 and l folded inwardly to parallel the end walls and overlie the elements articulated to the ends of the side walls. It will be noted in Figure 4 that side wall flap extension tabs l8, I9, 20 and 2| bend or fold so as to remain. parallel to the side walls 2 and 3, and in Figure 5, and that the end wall extension tabs 8 and 9 bend or fold so as to parallel and lie against the main panel I. The end wall extension tabs 8 and 9 thus serve to stiffen the end wall extensions 6 and I. When the box element or section is erected as described, the tongues 22, 23, 24 and 25 enter the slots 26, 21, 2B and 29 and lock the end wall extensions 6 and I in place.

The erected box construction just described is a particularly strong and sturdy one. The double thickness, adhesively secured portions at the eiids of the side walls, formed from the side wall flaps and their extensions, greatly rigidify the ends of the box and the corners thereof. Thesemembers are accurately positioned and held by and between the end walls and their extensions. The locking engagement is between the several tongues and slot portions lying essentially in the side wall flap extension tabs 3, I9, 20 and 2 I. These tabs, however, are not adhered to the side walls 2 and 3. If outward pressure is exerted on these side walls, the tabs nevertheless remain in place and the locking elements remain in interengagement. Thus my box element or section is exceptionally. free of trouble arising from accidental disengagement of the locking elements.

Moreover my novel structure, characterized by an exceptionally secure locking engagement, permits variations in the structure of the box section or element, especially variations which may be utilized to save boxboard. In Figure '7, where like parts are indicated by like index numerals, it will be noted that the end wall extension 6a has been substantially narrowed. The tongue 22 and slot 26 in tab H! are so located as to coincide in the erected box, and the same locking advantages are obtained. In this way considerable saving of board may be accomplished in a box with relatively deep side and end walls.

In Figure 9 I have shown another form of box section in the flat. This box section comprises paperboard end pieces designated generally at A and B and a center section C made up of articulated panels of nonscorable, preferably transparent sheeting, such as cellulose acetate. The center section C may be made up, in accordance with the teachings of the co-pending application of R. M. Bergstein, Serial No. 695,143, filed September 6, 1946, Patent No. 2,551,090, May 1, 1951, and entitled Knocked Down or Folding Structures Made From Acetate Sheeting or the like by slitting a continuous supply of the sheeting into strips of the desired width of the main panel In and side walls 2a and 3a, and immediately applying hinging strips over the lines of slit, adhesively securing these strips to the adjacent marginal portions of the sheeting. The articulated structure so formed is then cut transversely into panel assemblies such as the one indicated at C. p

The paperboard end pieces A and B embody the structures hitherto described as being parts of this invention. Like elements have been given like index numerals. Each of the paperboard end sections A and B are provided with short articulated portions 21), lb and 31) or 20, lo and 3a which overlap the ends of the main panel and side wall portions la, 2a and 3a of the center element C and are adhesively secured thereto in the structure of Figure 9.

While the structure of Figure 9 may be folded and glued as such as described hereinabove in connection with Figure 2, it is not ordinarily desired to subject to the action of folding and gluing machines a combined blank including acetate panels in the form illustrated. It is an advantage of my invention, as applied to composite boxes of this character that the end pieces may be folded and glued separately before being joined to the center piece C, and this is my preferred procedure. It may be noted in Figures 8 to 10 inclusive that the side wall flap extension tabs l8, I9, 20 and 2! have been narrowed, and the end wall extension tabs 8 and 8 somewhat widened, so that these latter tabs extend beyond the end edges of the former tabs. In sending the separate end pieces, as in Figure 8, through a folding and gluing machine, this enables me to engage the end wall extension tabs 9 or 8 by a stationary sword or folder and depress these elements, permitting another stationary folder or sweep to engage the tabs l8, 19 or 20, 2| on the side wall flap extensions and accomplish the folding as hereinabove described.

When the end pieces A and .B have thus separately been folded and glued, they are joined with the center piece C by being accurately located with respect thereto, end portions of the panels la, 2a and 3a being adhesively joined respectively to elements lb, 2b and 3b, and elements lc, 2c and 3c of the paperboard end pieces. These last mentioned elements are made wide enough so that the overlapping of the side wall flap extension tabs I8, [9, 20 and 2| onto the side wall elements will not interfere with the positioning or adhesive union of the end elements A and B to the center element C.

The finished box section in the form in which it may be shipped to the user is illustrated in Figure 10, while its set up condition is illustrated in Figures 11 and 12. The operations of setting up the structure are the same as those described hereinabove.

My invention thus has especial importance in connection with boxes having transparent walls or formed in part of articulated panel assemblies of non-scorable sheeting, in that I have succeeded in providing a composite structure with parts folded and glued, which did not require to be passed through folding and gluing machines in assembled form, and which did not require that the assembly of articulated panels of non-scorable sheeting be passed through folding and gluing machines at all. Yet in the set up condition a firm and strong box element is provided. The interlocking is a function of the paperboard elements at each end of the composite structure, and is not dependent for effectiveness on the precise location nor registry of the articulated assembly of panels of non-scorable sheeting.

Modifications may be made in my invention without departing from the spirit of it. Having thus described my invention in certain exemplary embodiments, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a box element a main panel, side walls articulated to opposite side edges thereof, end walls articulated to opposite end edges thereof, side wall flaps articulated to end edges of said side walls, said flaps bearing extensions and tabs, extensions on said end walls and tabs on said last mentioned extensions, locking tongues formed on end edges of said end wall extensions, said tabs on said side wall flap extensions having slots formed therein substantially at the lines of articulation of said tabs to accept said tongues, said side wall flap extensions being folded over onto said side wall flaps and adhesively secured thereto, with said side wall flap extension tabs freely overlying end portions of said side walls whereby when said element has its side and end walls erected, its side wall flaps turned inwardly inside the end walls, and said end wall extensions I folded inwardly, said locking tongues will engage in said slots, which engagement will be retained despite substantial displacement of said side walls.

2. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein the ends of said side wall flap extension tabs extend beyond the ends of said end wall extension tabs whereby said several elements may be selectively engaged by folding means.

3. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein the ends of said end wall extension tabs extend beyond the ends of said side wall flap extension tabs whereby said elements may be selectively engaged by folding means.

4. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein the main' portions of said main panel and side walls constitute an assembly of articulated panels of non-scorable sheeting, wherein the remaining portions of said box element are formed of paperboard, and wherein said side wall flaps and said end walls have paperboard portions articulated thereto and to each other, which portions are inadhesive union with end portions of said main panel and side walls.

5. In a box structure a main panel, side walls articulated to opposite side edges thereof, end walls articulated to opposite end edges thereof, side wall flaps articulated to end edges of said side walls, said flaps bearing extensions and tabs thereon, end wall extensions articulated to said end walls, said end wall extensions having laterally projecting locking tongues, said tabs and said extensions being divided by lines of score and having slots formed intermediate the ends of said lines of score whereby to lie partially Within said tabs and partially within said extensions, said side wall flap extensions being folded over onto said side wall flaps and adhesively secured thereto, with said side wall flap extension tabs overlying end portions of said side walls whereby when said side walls are erected, said slots will be positioned to accept said tongues. FRANK DAVID BERGSTEIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,144,746 Zeigler June 29, 1915 1,856,282 Holy May 3, 1932 2,143,308 Flach Jan. 10, 1939 2,217,503 Bergstein Oct. 8, 1940 2,233,207 Gillam Feb. 25, 1940 2,283,046 Clouston May 12, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 538,976 Great Britain Aug. 22, 1941 

